Take advantag e of all available informati on

Learn what’s important, and know how to use it

One of the big differences between tour players and amateur golfers has nothing to do with the swing. Professionals always approach a shot with more information; they understand what facts are most important—and they know how to use them. The more pertinent information you have, the better decisions you can make before you hit a shot.

On tee shots and second shots into par 5s, professionals want to know how far it is to the trouble, so they can pick a club that eliminates any chance of hitting it there. On shots into the green, they want to know three numbers: (1) the distance to the front of the green, (2) the distance to the back of the green, and (3) the distance to the flagstick. Armed with those yardages and the knowledge of where the trouble is around the green, tour players can select the right club for the shot—and miss in the right place.

Amateurs often choose a club according to the yardage to the flag or to the middle of the green—and they assume a perfect shot. A better strategy is to get the yardage to the back of the green, and pick a club based on that number. You’ll be long every once in a while, but your average shot will be much better.